'He never leaves the field': Neenah's Grant Dean chosen Post-Crescent high school football player of the year

NEENAH − Grant Dean just might be the best answer to any dilemma facing a high school football coach.

Need some yards on the ground? Dean can do that. He was Neenah's workhorse running back this season and led all Division 1 ball carriers in yards with 1,776 and had 25 touchdowns.

Need a stop on defense? He can do that, too, as a playmaking safety who was fourth on the team in total tackles along with two interceptions.

Need a spark on special teams? Again, Dean's your man as he was arguably the area's most dangerous athlete on returns and also blocked an extra point or two as well.

"He never leaves the field," Neenah coach Steve Jung said. "And the crazy thing is he's been starting for us both ways since his freshman year. Not only did he return kicks as a freshman, he also kicked off for us."

Dean's amazing versatility and ability to play a number of different roles at an extremely high level make him this year's Post-Crescent player of the year in football.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Dean attracted early praise from legendary college prospect evaluator Tom Lemming, who listed him among top Wisconsin recruits to watch heading into next season.

And look out Fox Valley, Dean's improvement also includes his mental game, according to Jung.

Jung points to Dean's performance in the Rockets' 14-7 victory over Fond du Lac in which Dean powered his way to 210 yards on 41 carries and two touchdowns, as well as during a 7-6 victory over Appleton North in which Dean scored the Rockets' lone touchdown.

"He broke two tackles in scoring that touchdown (against Appleton North)," Jung said. "(Earlier) he also blocked an extra point and we won 7-6.

"That Fondy game was a great mindset shift for him where he finally took on the role of, 'OK, I'm going to be the every-down back and I'm going to do four yards and a cloud of dust and I'm happy with it.' I think that's what coach (Steve) Jorgensen talks about with that mindset, that blue collar aspect of football, and that's what Grant did."

Dean, who is a three-sport athlete, took time to talk about his banner season and what is ahead.

On taking pride in his versatility

"I like it because it kind of widens my variety of playing styles and I’m able to help the team out in different places, which is nice and it’s definitely a benefit when it comes to recruiting. It widens on what you can play for."

On being the focal point of the offense

"It was definitely a test. Having (starting quarterback Evan Vanevenhoven) down was a huge loss for our team. And having a freshman at quarterback and step in and play in the FVA is hard, as many people may know. But it was definitely a test. I've been playing a lot of sports in my youth, so I’ve kind of been used to all the hard work and endurance. But it’s something you get used to."

On the ascension of the Neenah football program

"From my first year when I got here and we were 5-4 to through my second year when we won conference, that’s a mantra we have in the weight room that we have a target on our back. It kind of makes us work harder and it’s a pride that we get to be one of the heavyweights in the FVA. But it also goes to our coaches with getting (assistant Steve Jorgensen) too, obviously. And our coaches have gotten so much better from my freshman year to now and it shows in how we play."

On his early brushes with recruiting

"It was definitely stressful at first, because when you look at other people and you see people getting offers you definitely feel it and you feel like 'when is it going to be my chance?' My first-time chance happened with (North Dakota State University). It laid off the stress a little bit. But it’s definitely a blessing. And being able to be a part of that Tom Lemming group is great because all of those kids are going to go to a high Division I level college and play at some level. It’s stressful, but it's definitely a blessing at the same time."

On being a three-sport athlete

"It’s helped me tremendously. With every sport, what you put in is what you get out. I've really learned that in track, obviously, because you put in the hard work and you see what happens at the state meet and winning that (1,600 relay title) was an indescribable feeling. It was awesome."

What his coach says

"He's got the toughness and athleticism to be really, really special. He anchored our (1,600-meter) relay at the state meet and he held off a kid from Arrowhead and a kid from Waunakee − two really special and Division I athletes − to win. No one expected Neenah to win that 4x400. To hold off those two Division I athletes was a really big statement as a sophomore." − Steve Jung, Neenah head football coach.

A closer look: Grant Dean

Age: 17.

Positions: Running back, defensive back, returner.

Family: Mother, Stephanie; father, Jeff; sister, Chrysa; stepfather, Steve; stepmother, Holly.

Notable: Unanimous first-team all-Fox Valley Association at running back. First-team Wisconsin Football Coaches Association all-state (Large schools) and second-team Associated Press all-state at running back. Led all players in Division 1 with 1,774 yards rushing on 244 carries (7.3 average) with 25 touchdowns. Also had 20 catches for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Unanimous all-FVA at returner and had a kickoff and punt return for a score. Second-team all-FVA at defensive back and finished with 59 total tackles and two interceptions.

Grant's favorites

Food: Chicken alfredo.

School subject: Math.

TV/streaming show: "Outer Banks."

Movie: "Top Gun, the new one."

Book: "The Percy Jackson series."

Musical artist: Cody Johnson.

Pro athlete: Darnell Savage.

Go-to snack: Goldfish crackers.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Finnley Doriot, sr., Kaukauna, 6-2, 190: Unanimous first-team Fox Valley Association and the league's offensive player of the year and back of the year. AP all-state honorable mention and honorable mention on the WFCA all-state team (Large schools). Finished with 2,204 yards on 157-of-269 attempts with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Also had 374 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Logan Liegl, jr., Menasha, 6-0, 215: First-team all-Fox River Classic Conference-South. Finished with 1,686 yards passing on 128-of-214 attempts with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions. Also ran for 683 yards on 109 carries (6.3 average) and 12 touchdowns.

Running backs

Grant Dean, jr., Neenah, 6-0, 180: Player of the year (see above).

Isaiah Des Jardins, sr., Xavier, 5-10, 170: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference. Ran for 788 yards on 63 carries (12.5 average) and scored 16 touchdowns. Also had 263 yards receiving on 12 receptions (21.9 average) with a pair of scores.

Aiden Humphreys, jr., Wrightstown, 6-1, 190: Unanimous first-team all-North Eastern Conference. Helped lead the Tigers to the Division 5 state title game. Finished with 1,566 yards rushing on 240 carries (6.5 average) with 17 touchdowns. Also a standout linebacker with 97 total tackles, including nine for loss, and two sacks.

Receivers

Parker Schuh, jr., Kaukauna, 6-2, 185: First-team all-FVA. Finished with 41 catches for 706 yards (17.2 average) and five touchdowns.

Bryson Vieth, sr., Kimberly, 6-1, 180: First-team all-FVA. Finished with 55 catches for 736 yards (13.4 average) and nine touchdowns.

Sam Wegener, jr., Clintonville, 6-4, 195: Unanimous first-team all-Northwoods and honorable mention on the WFCA all-state team (Small schools). Finished with 59 catches for 963 yards (16.3 average) and 12 touchdowns.

Tight end/fullback

Luke Keller, sr., Neenah, 6-3, 215: First-team all-FVA. Finished with 12 catches for 248 yards (20.7 average) and a touchdown.

Offensive linemen

Noah Draeger, sr., Hortonville, 6-5, 280: Unanimous first-team all-Valley Football Association.

Adam Earle, sr., Xavier, 6-4, 255: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference.

Charles Garvey, sr., Wrightstown, 6-4, 340: Unanimous first-team all-NEC and the league's offensive lineman of the year. High honorable mention on AP all-state team and WFCA all-state first-team (Small schools). Also had 29 total tackles as a defensive lineman, with one for loss.

Nic Plamann, sr., Kimberly, 6-3, 285: Unanimous first-team all-FVA and honorable mention AP all-state. WFCA all-state (Large schools).

Mitch Verstegen, sr., Kaukauna, 6-5, 300: Unanimous first-team all-FVA. First-team AP all-state and first-team WFCA all-state (Large schools). Will play collegiately at Indiana.

Kicker

AJ Seidler, sr., Xavier, 6-0, 200: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference. Connected on 4-of-5 field goals and was 43-of-46 on extra points.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen

Carter Appl, jr., Xavier, 6-3, 195: Honorable mention on the AP all-state team and WFCA all-state team (Large schools). Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference and the league's defensive lineman of the year. Finished with 68 total tackles, including 16 for loss. Also had 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Carson Clausen, sr., Freedom, 6-2, 220: Honorable mention AP all-state and first-team WFCA all-state (Small schools). NEC defensive lineman of the year and the league's defensive player of the year. Finished with 62 total tackles, including eight for loss. Also had seven sacks and a forced fumble.

Sam McGivern, sr., Kimberly, 6-3, 255: Yale commit was first-team AP all-state and first-team WFCA all-state (Large schools). Unanimous first-team all-FVA and the league's defensive lineman of the year. Finished with 41 total tackles, including seven for loss, with six sacks.

Aiden Roh, sr., Hortonville, 6-1, 235: First-team all-Valley Football Association. Had 54 total tackles with 14 for loss. Also had eight sacks and a forced fumble.

Linebackers

Brock Arndt, sr., Appleton North, 6-3, 235: Unanimous first-team AP all-state. First-team WFCA all-state and the defensive player of the year (Large schools). Unanimous first-team all-FVA, the league’s linebacker of the year and defensive player of the year. Finished with 70 tackles, including six for loss. Will play collegiately at Ohio University.

Miles Christensen, sr., Menasha, 5-9, 175: Honorable mention AP all-state. First-team all-FRCC-South. Totaled 53 tackles, with seven for loss, and an interception.

Landon Helphrey, sr., Wrightstown, 5-10, 190: First-team all-North Eastern Conference and the league's back of the year on defense. Finished with 87 total tackles, with seven for loss.

Reid Hietpas, sr., Xavier, 6-1, 205: Honorable mention on the AP all-state team and the WFCA all-state team (Large schools). Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference and the league's linebacker of the year and defensive player of the year. Finished with 95 total tackles, with six for loss, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Also rushed for 626 yards and eight touchdowns on offense.

Miles Sillas, sr., Hortonville, 6-4, 245: Honorable mention WFCA all-state (Large schools). First-team all-VFA. Finished with 90 total tackles, with 14 for loss, with a pair of sacks and an interception.

Defensive backs

Ty Carlson, sr., Menasha, 6-1, 175: Unanimous first-team all-FRCC-South and the league's defensive back of the year. Totaled 51 tackles, with a forced fumble returned for a touchdown and an interception.

John Neumann, sr., Kaukauna, 6-0, 175: Unanimous first-team all-FVA. Totaled 49 tackles with four for loss, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and six interceptions with one returned for a score.

Cody Obermann, sr., Kimberly, 5-11, 170: First-team all-FVA. Finished with 54 total tackles, with two for loss. Also had a forced fumble and three interceptions.

Christian Pride, sr., Appleton North, 6-0, 200: First-team all-FVA. Finished with 27 total tackles and two interceptions.

Carson Van Dinter, sr., Kaukauna, 6-3, 195: First-team AP all-state and first-team WFCA all-state (Large schools). Unanimous first-team all-FVA and the league’s defensive back of the year. Finished with 64 total tackles, including three for loss. Also had a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and four interceptions. Iowa State commit.

Punter

Trevor Vande Hey, jr., Wrightstown, 6-2, 190: First-team all-North Eastern Conference. Averaged 41.1 yards per kick.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Kade Rosenow, sr., Clintonville, 6-5, 190: First-team all-Northwoods and honorable mention on the WFCA all-state team (Small schools). Passed for 2,259 yards on 183-of-327 attempts and 23 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Running backs

Ethan Mathe, sr., Winneconne, 5-8, 176: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference and the league's offensive player of the year. Finished with 847 yards on 131 carries (6.5 average) with 18 touchdowns. Also had 49 total tackles on defense.

Noah Heinke, sr., Freedom, 5-11, 169: Unanimous first-team all-NEC. Finished with 955 yards on 178 carries and 11 touchdowns. Also had 18 catches for 303 yards (16.8 average) and four touchdowns.

Elijah Gigl, jr., Menasha, 5-11, 185: First-team all-FRCC-South. Finished with 948 yards on 145 carries (6.5 average) with nine touchdowns.

Wide receivers

Brody Schaffer, so., Winneconne, 6-0, 165: Unanimous all-Bay and the league's receiver of the year. Finished with 36 catches for 432 yards (12.0 average) and seven touchdowns.

David Schumacher, jr., Fox Valley Lutheran, 5-11, 170: Unanimous first-team all-NEC. Finished with 30 catches for 405 yards and four touchdowns.

Parker Wienandt, jr., Menasha, 5-11, 165: First-team all-FRCC-South. Finished with 31 catches for 569 yards (18.4 average) and seven touchdowns.

Tight end/fullback

Abe Coronado, sr., Kimberly, 6-1, 255: First-team all-FVA.

Offensive linemen

Karson Ernst, sr., Kaukauna, 6-3, 303: First-team all-FVA.

Jack Modder, sr., Appleton North, 6-3, 285: First-team all-FVA.

Nate Cleveland, sr., Neenah, 5-10, 255: First-team all-FVA.

Trent Vande Hey, sr., Wrightstown, 6-2, 190: Unanimous first-team all-NEC.

Owen Brantley, sr., Winneconne, 6-2, 230: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference.

Eddie Heuring, jr., Xavier, 6-2, 265: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference.

Kickers

Osvaldo Soto Sanchez, sr., Kaukauna, 6-0, 180: Second-team all-FVA. Connected on 5-of-5 field goals and was 36-of-37 on extra-point attempts.

Liam Wasco, sr., Neenah, 5-9, 155: Second-team all-FVA. Was 30-for-30 on extra-point attempts.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen

Cole Calkins, sr., Menasha, 6-2, 220: First-team all-FRCC-South. Finished with 52 total tackles, including 14 for loss. Also had 3.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Sawyer Hanlon, jr., Kimberly, 6-1, 235: First-team all-FVA. Finished with 46 total tackles, including six for loss. Also had seven sacks.

Reggie Kloehn, jr., Hortonville, 6-1, 235: First-team all-VFA and the league's co-defensive player of the year with Ben Smith. Finished with 70 total tackles, including 12 for loss. Also had two sacks and a forced fumble.

Sawyer Steineke, sr., Kaukauna, 5-11, 275: First-team all-FVA. Finished with 38 total tackles, including three for loss, with a sack.

Linebackers

Sam Dudek, sr., Kimberly, 6-1, 200: Honorable mention on the WFCA all-state team (Large schools). First-team all-FVA. Finished with 41 total tackles, including two for loss, with two sacks and an interception.

Braedon Ellefson, jr., Kimberly, 6-3, 195: First-team all-FVA. Led the Papermakers in total tackles (75), with five for loss.

Carter McGlone, sr., Xavier, 5-8, 180: First-team all-Bay Conference. Led the Hawks in total tackles (104), including nine for loss. Also had two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.

Ben Smith, sr., Hortonville, 6-2, 240: Unanimous first-team all-VFA and shared league co-defensive player of the year honors with Reggie Kloehn. Finished with 89 total tackles, including six for loss, with 2.5 sacks.

Connor Briones, sr., Neenah, 6-3, 205: First-team all-FVA. Finished with 64 total tackles, including 10 for loss, with a pair of sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown.

Defensive backs

Isaiah Des Jardins, sr., Xavier, 5-10, 170: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference. Finished with 21 total tackles and an interception.

Mason Dorn, sr., Winneconne, 5-11, 150: First-team all-Bay Conference. Finished with 30 total tackles and four interceptions.

Grant Dean, jr., Neenah, 6-0, 180: Player of the year (see above).

Zac Halbach, sr., Chilton, 6-2, 190: First-team all-Eastern Wisconsin Conference. Finished with 74 total tackles, five forced fumbles and an interception.

Tyler Fischer, sr., Little Chute, 6-3, 155: First-team all-North Eastern Conference. Finished with six interceptions.

Punter

Mac Kramer, sr., Fox Valley Lutheran, 6-0, 190: Second-team all-NEC. Averaged 36.7 yards per punt.

Ayden Loukidis, sr., Winneconne, 5-9, 200: First-team all-Bay Conference. Averaged 33.5 yards per punt.

HONORABLE MENTION

Quarterback: Carson Pendleton, sr., Kimberly; Brady Immel, sr., Winneconne.

Running backs: Matthew Potter, so., Xavier; Tommy Fields, jr., New London; Jack Egan, sr., Fox Valley Lutheran; Gavin Tyson, sr., Kimberly; Jack Robinson, sr., Appleton North.

Fullback/H-back: Ryan Johnson, jr., Menasha; Evan Elrod, sr., Appleton North; Nathan Welter, sr., Xavier.

Wide receivers: Dylan Sharratt, sr., Winneconne; Carson Kerrigan, sr., Little Chute; Brayden Arndt, sr., Weyauwega-Fremont; Cam Scott, sr., Appleton East.

Vote for the top athlete: Choose from four basketball stars for Cellcom Post-Crescent high school athlete of the week

Offensive linemen: Owen Butkovich, sr., Little Chute; Mason Werfal, jr., Menasha; Noah Nelson, sr., Fox Valley Lutheran; Dane Katz, jr., Xavier; Todd Marx, so., Appleton East; Jack Hawkins, jr., Appleton North; Marcus Jacobs, sr., Chilton; Austin Schwartz, sr., Brillion; Rylee Losse, sr., Menasha; Parker Walbruck, jr., New London; Brock Socha, jr., Seymour.

Defensive linemen: Matthew Speilman, jr., Hortonville; Tawan Rich, sr., Neenah; Brady Lamon, sr., Appleton North; Quinton Lumsden, sr., Xavier; Mason Bunnell, jr., Seymour; Alex Marsh, jr., Seymour; Hudson Tamulion, sr., Neenah; Blake Miller, sr., Appleton North; Logan Arft, jr., Kaukauna; Parker Walbruck, jr., New London; Zander Bartel, sr., Winneconne; Jayden Lanser, jr., Menasha; Daniel Harness, jr., St. Mary Catholic.

Linebackers: Tommy Fields, jr., New London; Cole Hietpas, jr., Xavier; Jonah Schlueter, sr., New London; Brady Zemple, sr., Manawa; Bobby Salm, jr., Appleton North; Ben Wenzel, so., Appleton North; Jordan Thompson, so., Seymour; Jonah Schlueter, sr., New London; Quinn Ludvigsen, sr., Menasha; John Schultz, sr., St. Mary Catholic; Liam Heiges, sr., Fox Valley Lutheran.

Defensive backs: Drew Kortz, jr., Freedom; Sean Hansen, jr., Appleton North; Luke Jung, jr., Neenah; Nick Bergin, sr., Appleton North.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Grant Dean of Neenah is high school football player of the year